George Garson: a retrospective aims to highlight the talent, craftsmanship and influence of George Garson, who was an artist of considerable versatility.

Unlike his art school colleagues he arrived on the scene from the working class background of the Henry Robb shipyards in Leith and Burntisland. 

His major works utilised mosaic, stained glass and poured concrete but he was also a passionate drawer and painter. Much of his work was monumental: Garson produced some of Britain’s largest public artworks, including the York Square mosaic mural in Grangemouth Town Centre designed by Alan Davie for which they received a joint Saltire Award.   

Gillian Smith, Arts Development Officer, Falkirk Community Trust said “I am delighted to have been able to work with Dugald MacInnes to present this exciting exhibition which celebrates the life and work of artist George Garson”.

“Garson introduced me to mosaics. The emotional impact experienced on first seeing one of his small slate and sandstone pieces cannot be overstated. That moment lives with me yet. Here at last was the avenue by which I could express my relationship with the geology and landscape with which I was familiar. This introduction to his ‘domestic panels brought direction and substance to my art and thus influenced the course of my life” - Dugald MacInnes, artist

His legacy extends beyond his work – Garson was both an inspirational teacher and a man of words. Renowned for a bold uncompromising approach, he led mural design and stained glass at Glasgow School of Art in the 70’s and 80’s, and in later life he wrote, particularly poems.

"I liken mosaic to chamber music where the least botched note can be fatal; where truth to material – be it smalti, sandstone, marble or slate – is paramount, where drawing disciplines are essential, and colour and tone are expressive absolutes. And there is also that most fugitive of ingredients, relaxed control – the name of the game. And there is joy too, without which the most challenging of mediums can get as heavy as the material in which it is created.” George Garson

Free Admission

 Opening hours:

Mon to Sat: 10am –5pm.

Sunday 2pm - 5pm (April to September)

Last admission 4pm

Events and workshops related with the exhibition

Dugald MacInnes Wednesday 12 September

1.30pm -2.30pm  Free

Dugald MacInnes is an internationally recognised, award-winning mosaicist. His work has featured in a number of books on the subject and this year he is exhibiting in France, Italy and England.

Dugald works mainly in slate using the contexts of geology and archaeology as the basis of his art.

Alex Frost Wednesday 19 September 

11am – 12noon  Free

Alex Frost has recently created his first permanent public art work for Easterhouse and the John Wheatley College Campus, working with Platform in partnership with The Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art (GI). In this talk Alex shares thoughts and ideas linked to his new commission.

Workshops

Mosaics with Dugald MacInnes Saturday 22 September

Adult workshop

Exploit and explore your creative spirit through the joy of mosaic. After a brief introduction to techniques of cutting, shaping and cementing, participants will be free to produce mosaics in their own manner. Illustrations or sketches may be brought along to work from or simply enjoy manipulating natural materials such as slate, oil shale and sandstone plus glass smalti as used by Byzantine artists.

Please bring an old shirt or apron and a packed lunch.

10.30am-4.30pm, Education Room , Callendar House

£15

Young People Age 12+ Saturday 13 October

Experience the creative and exciting world of mosaic by making your own masterpiece using natural materials such as slate and sandstone as well as glass smalti, as used by mosaic artists for over a thousand years.

You will be guided through the methods of cutting, shaping and cementing, after which you will be let loose to show your creative spirit.

Please bring an old shirt or apron and a packed lunch.

10.30am-4.30pm, Education Room , Callendar House

£10

Introduction to Pastels with LA Derks - Saturday 29 September

LA Derks graduated from GSA in 1999. She is now an established artist working from her studio in Larbert.

Adult workshop

This one day workshop is ideal for anyone new to pastels or those looking to further develop their skills. The course will explore different pastels and papers as well as pastel application, overlaying colours and blending.  All materials will be provided including a range of subject matter from still life to scenic photographs.’

10.30am-4.30pm, Education Room , Callendar House

£15

Introduction to glass

The Newfangled Glass Company is based in Alloa. Artist and owner Jill Conlan uses and fuses many different glass working techniques both traditional and innovative to achieve stunning and unique results.

Saturday 8 September - Taster workshop

Jill will lead a taster session where you can make a coaster or try some glass painting

10.30am -12.30pm  Children age 8-12

 2.30pm - 4.30pm    Adults

Education Room , Callendar House

£5

Friday 21 September/Saturday 22^nd September - Newfangled Glass Company

Open Studio event Free

11am – 4pm

Come along and see various techniques in action including working with stained glass.

The Newfangled Glass Company

Unit 4 , Alloa Makers Village, Ludgate, Alloa, FK10 1DP

Screening: SCOPE (BBC documentary) / George Garson

Introduced by Mosaic artist Dugald MacInnes and Executive Director of the Saltire Society Jim Tough.

The work of George Garson decorates the public face of Scotland.  Described in 1975 as “one of Scotland’s leading designers” Garson was head of the Murals and Stained Glass Department at Glasgow School of Art.  His work was celebrated in a TV documentary, broadcast in 1975 as part of the ‘seventies network television series ‘SCOPE’. ‘The film shows him at work on the Grangemouth mural designed by Alan Davie. The mosaic mural received a joint Saltire Society - Arts and Crafts in Architecture Award in 1976. Showing for the first time in over 30 years this is a rare chance to see the celebrated visionary at work.   

 Director W Gordon Smith/ BBC Scotland April 1 1975

30mins plus pre-screening talk

Sun 7 Oct  2.30pm, Hippodrome. 10 Hope Street Bo’ness EH51 0AA

Tickets £5.85 (£4.55 conc)

Box office 01324506850

To book tickets for any of these events or workshops please call 01324 506850 or visit The Steeple Box Office, High Street, Falkirk, FK1 1NW

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